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Where Have All The Women's
Ministry Leaders Gone?
10/24/04
Elena Garcia McKean
"Charm is deceptive, and
beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
Proverbs 31:30
The Kingston Trio's classic folk
song, "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" stirs emotions even now about
how many young people are dying as soldiers. One poignant verse of the song
makes my heart ache:
Where have all the soldiers gone, long time passing...
Gone to graveyards, every one.
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Kip and I recently had the privilege of attending the International Leadership
Conference in Chicago. We had many face-to-face conversations. Like others we
made every effort to listen compassionately and "speak the truth in
love." (Ephesians 4:15) We heard great messages lifting up Jesus as
our ever-inspiring example of leadership. As a woman though, my heart was deeply
troubled that few Women's Ministry Leaders and even fewer "young"
women attended the conference.
With all the challenges in our worldwide fellowship these last few years, our
Women's Ministry Leaders have suffered huge causalities that we cannot minimize.
Many very committed women "soldiers of the cross" have gone to
spiritual "graveyards" where their talents, experiences and spiritual
wisdom have been buried. Others are critically wounded and presently have only
nominal responsibilities in their congregations. When will we ever learn to
love, forgive and respect women like Jesus?
God's noble-charactered woman in
Proverbs 31:26 "speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her
tongue." Our sisters need spiritual and practical training on
"speaking wisely" and how to be faithful instructors for God. I pray
daily for wisdom as I go through life's spiritual battles (and especially as I
write this article!) This is a vital responsibility of Women's Ministry Leaders.
There has been such a backlash in
our fellowship on women working outside their home. Each "ministry
couple" should have the freedom of choice in conjunction with their church
leadership whether a woman works in the ministry part-time, full-time or if she
chooses to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. Wives of ministers should feel their
own sense of responsibility and calling before God if they choose to serve in
the ministry, not just because their husbands are in the full-time ministry.
Many Christian women today choose to work "secular jobs" and really
feel the need to work to help support their family's financial needs. Why not
give women who are "qualified" (or train interns) the opportunity to
help their family's financial needs in full or part-time women's ministry
positions? Or if they are single, financially support them so they can be
devoted "24-7" to the sisters and thus more sisters are brought to
maturity and more women are saved! (Colossians 1:28-29)
Also alarming is the thinking
that we cannot "afford" to have Women Ministry Leaders with our
diminished financial giving. Often the first ministry leaders to be cut are the
women. In Proverbs 31:16-17, "Out of her earnings she plants a
vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously..." I am so grateful
to have the opportunity to serve God in the full-time ministry in the Portland
Church at this stage of my life. Being an "empty-nester," I am blessed
with plenty of time to work, that prayerfully is guided by God and many years of
ministry experience. I have always felt the need to help with our family's
financial needs. I so appreciate "my earnings," so graciously given by
the Portland Church family. Otherwise, since we need our earnings to put three
kids through college, I would be working in the "secular" world and
not have all the time and energy to devote to our women's ministry.
Last Sunday night an extremely
gifted single professional woman was baptized into Christ. She had been raised
in an overly strict traditional church where the women had very little
leadership and "say" in church affairs. She rebelled because she did
not see God's deep personal grace or God's strong equal love for her as a woman.
She studied the Bible with two other women and me for several weeks, while
consistently attending our church services. She grew in her faith, opened up her
heart in our Bible studies, and we all became great friends. Who will train and
spiritually counsel such women? Most brothers, much less "male"
ministers would be put in a very awkward role studying the Bible on such a
personal level with women. Biblically, the older women train the young ones,
since very deep emotional and spiritual bonds develop when we study the Bible on
such personal levels. (Titus 2:4-5) Another major concern is that ambitious,
high-powered women will see no place to use their talents in the church. They
want to do more than cook for church functions and teach children's classes
(which are also good and needed ways to serve, but not just for women.)
In Proverbs 31:8 God challenges
us to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves."
Women can be so easily overlooked and hurt where there are
"leadership" meetings and there are no women present to give a female
perspective. Again, I am deeply grateful to be a respected part of our Portland
Church leadership. I do speak up for our sister's needs and contribute to
discussions that affect our entire church. Women need a voice in leadership
decisions (as in marriage), which is not the same as taking over and having
authority over the men.
During the peak period of
criticism towards Kip's and my leadership, I felt Satan's attacks on my heart to
give in to my bitterness and self-pity over "injustices" and lack of
forgiveness towards us as we were trying to repent of our sins. During my bitter
moments, I regretted giving up my original "career" as an occupational
therapist to serve non-paid in the women's ministry for many years in the
mainline Churches of Christ and the International Churches of Christ. Few
remember, married women of ministers were not paid until 1994. I definitely had
thoughts I would be making more money if I had kept up my "career."
Sadly, Satan also whispered in my ear that I would feel more respect in the
secular world as a woman than in the church. I praise God that He has healed my
heart by serving in the very loving, forgiving, supportive atmosphere of the
Portland Church.
A Chinese proverb says,
"Women hold up half the sky." Therefore, will you join with me in
praying to our Father in heaven to move in the hearts of Women's Ministry
Leaders around the world, to be healed of their wounds, train an ever-increasing
number of young women, and rise up and evangelize side by side with our brothers
the whole world?
Elena Garcia McKean
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